João MacDowell

Biography

João MacDowell is a Brazilian composer known for fusing contemporary and popular styles with classical music. His work includes opera, symphonic, chamber music, and early albums of Brazilian pop. On the occasion of the concert premiere of his fifth opera The Seventh Seal, Swedish journalist Johanna Paulsson of Dagens Nyheter noted the composer as "a new thinker in the genre".

Channel description

Noted by the Swedish press as "a new thinker in the genre" (Johanna Paulsson, Dagens Nyheter), João MacDowell's musical journey ranges from punk to opera. Raised in Brasilia under the military dictatorship, he grew up among artists and educators and was influenced early on by Augusto Boal and José Celso. MacDowell has collaborated with entities like the Metropolitan Opera NY and the New York Opera Alliance, and his repertoire extends to chamber music, electronic, choral works, and film scores. Since 2008, he has been the Artistic Director of the International Brazilian Opera Company - IBOC, a New York-based nonprofit. Notable compositions include his Symphony n.1, and soundtracks like the 2014 FIFA World Cup for ESPN (USA). He has authored five operas, including Tamanduá (Boston Metropolitan Opera Award 2009) and The Seventh Seal, with performances internationally recognized, including a premiere at the Museum of Modern Art Stockholm.

Latest videos Channel ↗

• 01 69 The Seventh Seal - Scene 5 - Visions and Dreams Jul 29, 2025
• 02 145 The Seventh Seal - STOCKHOLM Act 1 scene 10: Dies Irae (A Procession) Jul 21, 2025
• 03 90 The 7th Seal: Act 2 Sn.03 - The Dark Forest - Burning the Witch Jul 11, 2025
• 04 35 Plastic Flowers - Scene 10 - Penelope's Conclusion Apr 29, 2025
• 05 12 Plastic Flowers - Scene 09 - Suicide Apr 22, 2025